Hawk Harrelson to step down as White Sox commentator in 2018

Ken “Hawk” Harrelson has announced 2018 will be his final year broadcasting games for the Chicago White Sox.

One of the most recognizable voices in Major League Baseball is stepping down after the 2018 season. The Chicago White Sox announced on Wednesday that the longtime voice of the South Side team will hang up the headset after next season.

Next year will mark his 34th season as the man behind the microphone for the Sox. He is best known for his call on home runs, where he would always yell out “You can put it on the board … YES!” Hawk always refers to the team as “the good guys,” and his emotion is felt in his voice when things aren’t going well.

Hawk has been splitting play-by-play duties with Jason Benetti, who will take over the job when he steps down. He spoke with reporters Wednesday in the White Sox dugout and reflected on everything.

"This has been the greatest ride of my life, and it has been a lot of fun with these fans. I’ll never forget anything that has to do with this, nothing. I’ll remember it forever."

The 75-year old veteran broadcaster noted he wants to spend more time with his family, notably his three grandchildren. It’s what led to him reducing his 2016 schedule, along with the travel from his South Bend home to Chicago. He will also limit his final 2018 schedule to roughly 20 games, working mostly Sunday home games.

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Hawk will follow legendary broadcasters Vin Scully (Dodgers) and Dick Enberg (Padres) to the land of retirement. He wraps up a career that included calling games for the Yankees and Sox. He also spent a short stint as White Sox general manager, where he fired Tony La Russa as manager and called it the worst job he ever had.